Hickenlooper Proposes New Oil And Gas Air Quality Regulations

A drilling rig nestled in the greenspace between developments in Frederick, Colo., Aug. 2013.

Jim Hill
/ KUNC

Originally published on November 18, 2013 3:15 pm

Calling them ‘groundbreaking,’ Governor John Hickenlooper proposed new statewide air quality rules for oil and gas drilling Monday. The rules aim to reduce air pollution from methane emissions.

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Bente Birkeland reports from the state capitol

Some members of the environmental community aren't biting however, saying the Governor is pushing new rules for purely political reasons.

The new rules would reduce methane emissions by 92,000 tons per year. That’s roughly equivalent to taking every car in Colorado off the road for one year.

“These proposed rules provide common sense measures to help ensure Colorado has the cleanest and safest oil and gas industry in the country,” Governor John Hickenlooper said. “The rules will help Colorado prepare for anticipated growth in energy development, while protecting public health and the environment.”

"Five cities across the Front Range have voted to stop fracking. They did not vote for stronger regulations,” said Sam Schabacker, the Mountain West Region Director for Food & Water Watch. “The Governor and other elected officials need to respect these popular votes to stop fracking, not bring forward weak rules that will not protect Coloradans from this dangerous, irresponsible activity."

The rule would still need to go through a public rulemaking hearing before it could be adopted.